Archive for the ‘Examiner.com’ Category
July 4, 2010
With the U.S. soccer team advancing to the second round of the World Cup last month, soccer got a bump in interest in the U.S.
Though the U.S. is long gone from the tournament, the semifinals and finals coming up this week and next weekend present a good opportunity for children to watch the games on TV and get interested in the sport.
For children with autism and other disabilities, soccer is one of the best team sports to attempt, since it is fairly simple and doesn’t require a lot of equipment.
Playing soccer and other sports, exercising, and developing motor skills are areas that are often overlooked and under appreciated when it comes to therapy for children with autism. Sports and exercise can even improve social and cognitive skills for children with autism. Most importantly, soccer and other sports are fun.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Tags:autism, drills, exercise, Soccer, World Cup
Posted in Autism, Disabilities, Examiner.com, Soccer | Leave a Comment »
July 4, 2010
Pudge Rodriguez hit a walk-off single to right field to give the Nationals an improbable 6-5 come from behind win over the Mets Saturday. Stephen Strasburg only gave up two runs in five innings, but once again the Nationals failed to give him much support – until well after after he exited the game.
The game-winning hit off Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez set off a wild celebration after Ryan Zimmerman crossed home plate. Then the Nats set off fireworks in front of what was left of a sellout crowd of 39,214 one day before the 4th of July.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Adam Dunn hit what appeared to be a home run to the right of the 402-foot sign in center field, but replays showed the ball hit the top of the fence and it was ruled a ground rule double, scoring two runs.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, please click here.
Tags:Adam Dunn, comeback, Mets, Nationals, Pudge Rodriguez, Strasmas in July
Posted in Baseball, Examiner.com | Leave a Comment »
July 1, 2010
The funeral for former Washington Bullets 7’7″ center Manute Bol was held Tuesday at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Bol played 10 seasons in the NBA and became a prolific shot blocker, but was best known for his humanitarian work in his native war-torn Sudan.
Bol died at the age of 47 of kidney failure and complications from the skin condition Stevens-Johnson syndrome at University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville June 19. Bol had made trips to Sudan in recent years and was given medication that may have resulted in side effects that caused Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Approximately 150 people attended Bol’s funeral, where former National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), friends, and relatives spoke. Former teammates including Chris Mullin attended the funeral, as did former Bullets General Manager Bob Ferry, who drafted Bol in the second round in 1985, and former NBA players Buck Williams and Rory Sparrow.
Bol was a great humanitarian and will be sorely missed. To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here. All photos below by Mike Frandsen.
-
-
Bob Ferry, former Washington Bullets GM who drafted Bol, called him the greatest shot blocker ever.
-
-
The National Cathedral stands tall, like Manute.
-
-
The program from former Washington Bullet Manute Bol’s funeral, July 29, 2010 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
-
-
Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) spoke at Manute Bol’s funeral.
-
-
Former teammate Chris Mullin attended Bol’s funeral.
-
-
Sudanese ambassador Dr. Akec K.A. Khoc spoke at Manute’s funeral.
-
-
The crowd gathers after Manute’s funeral.
-
-
Pallbearers carry Manute’s casket.
-
-
Manute’s funeral was held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
-
-
Former Maryland All-American and 17-year NBA player Buck Williams had fond memories of Manute.
Tags:blocked shots, Chris Mullin, Darfur, funeral, manute Bol, National Cathedral. 7-7, Sudan, Washington Bullets
Posted in Examiner.com, NBA, Politics, Washington DC, Washington Wizards | Leave a Comment »
June 27, 2010
Last month the top 10 mistakes and lessons learned from therapy programs for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were examined in this column.
Now here’s number 11: Parents (or teachers) refusing to try augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for non-verbal or minimally verbal children or adults with autism.
People with autism often have delays or deficits in communication, especially speech. However, many children and adults with autism have considerably better receptive than expressive skills. That means that they understand a lot more than it appears.
AAC systems can take the place of, or supplement and enhance speech by enabling people who don’t have typical verbal abilities communicate better. AAC systems can improve the ability of children and adults with autism and other disabilities to initiate requests and respond to questions.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Tags:aac, augmentative and alternative communication, autism, children, parents, speech, verbal
Posted in Autism, Disabilities, Examiner.com | Leave a Comment »
June 24, 2010
As has been expected ever sinceWashington won the NBA Draft Lottery last month, the Wizards selected Kentucky point guard John Wall with the first selection in the draft Thursday night.
Also in the first round, former Georgetown center Greg Monroe was selected seventh by the Detroit Pistons and former Maryland point guard Greivis Vasquez was taken 28th by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Vasquez, Maryland’s second all-time leading scorer, jumped up and down when his name was called and hugged his parents. Vasquez told ESPN, “We have a great roster. Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo…I just can’t wait to get to training camp and work hard. This means a lot to me and my country back in Venezuela.”
The only other time the Wizards had the number one pick was in 2001 when they selected Kwame Brown right out of high school, but Brown turned out to be a bust. Wall, however, is expected to be close to a sure thing. He averaged 16.6 points and 6.5 assists during his only season at Kentucky and was a Consensus First Team All-America.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Tags:Greg Monroe, Greivis Vasquez, John Wall, NBA Draft, Washington Wizards
Posted in College Basketball, Examiner.com, NBA, Washington Wizards | Leave a Comment »
June 20, 2010
From "My First Words Touch and Feel Pictures Cards," dk.com
Studies show that enjoyment and success in reading early on are major factors in predicting how well young children will readin the future, which is especially true for children with autism and other special needs.
In addition to motivation, children with autism usually need to have new concepts broken down into simple steps for them to be successful.
To learn pre-reading and early reading skills, books with few ideas per page, large text, colorful pictures, and tactile textures can help keep the interest of children with autism. Lyrical language and rhymes can help kids memorize word families, hold their attention and keep them motivated.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Tags:autism, books, motivation, pre-reading, simple steps
Posted in Autism, books, Disabilities, Examiner.com | Leave a Comment »
June 19, 2010
The photo from this Washington Post article on Bias during his junior year is faded, but memories of Bias remain for Maryland fans.
Twenty-four years ago today something happened that was so shocking that it was hard to fathom that it really took place.
On June 19, 1986, University of Maryland basketball player Len Bias died of a cocaine overdose.
The scene that morning, as documented in news reports, was surreal and tragic as family members and teammates learned the news after gathering at Leland Memorial Hospital in Riverdale.
Kirk Fraser recounted the story of Bias’ death in an ESPN documentary, 30 for 30: Without Bias.
See the rest of my article at Examiner.com here.
See highlights of Bias here.
Tags:30 for 30: Without Bias, cocaine overdose, death, documentary, Len Bias, Maryland
Posted in College Basketball, Examiner.com | Leave a Comment »
June 18, 2010
Stephen Strasburg pitched another spectacular game for the Washington Nationals Friday night in his second home start but the Nats fell to the Chicago White Sox, 2-1 in 11 innings.
President Obama was in attendance to watch the White Sox take on the Nats and Strasburg in front of a sellout crowd of 40,325 at Nationals Park. Strasburg struck out 10 batters in seven innings and surrendered just one run in his third start.
Strasburg now has 32 strikeouts, which is a major league record for most strikeouts in the first three games of a career. Incredibly, the 21-year old rookie phenom had no walks for the second straight game at Nationals Park. In two starts at home Strasburg has an otherworldly 24 strikeouts and no walks. Strasburg left with a no-decision after pitching the seventh inning with the Nats (31-37) down 1-0.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Tags:Obama, phenom, Stephen Strasburg, Strasmas, strikeouts, Washington Nationals
Posted in Baseball, Examiner.com | Leave a Comment »
June 13, 2010
Oral arguments were made in the autism vaccine appeal case of Michelle Cedillo vs. Health and Human Services Thursday at theU.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C.
The case of Cedillo, a 15-year old girl with autism, was the first test case of more than 5,000 cases in the Omnibus Autism Proceeding. This proceeding was created by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) because of the large number of cases in which parents claim vaccines caused autism in their children. The federal government established the VICP to prevent the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture vaccines from being sued.
The vaccine court ruled against the Cedillos in February 2009 and affirmed the ruling six months later.
Sylvia Chin-Caplan, an attorney for the Cedillos, told Examiner.com after Thursday’s court session the case should go back to court: “I’m hopeful that because the substantive due process so tainted the entire procedure and so tainted the outcome of the case entire case that the appellate court will recognize that and will give us an opportunity by remanding the case.”
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Tags:due process, Michelle Cedillo, MMR, Omnibus Autism Proceeding, Sylvia Chin-Caplan, vaccines
Posted in Autism, Disabilities, Examiner.com | Leave a Comment »
June 11, 2010
Check out this awesome Bullets jersey.
New Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said Thursday he will not change the name of the Wizards, but said a change in colors back to the traditional red, white, and blue is likely at some point. Leonsis also asked the fans to welcome back former all-star guard Gilbert Arenas.
Leonsis formally took over ownership of the Wizards Wednesday. Recent speculation has centered on whether the Wizards will change their team colors and even their name after the upcoming season, with many fans clamoring to a return to the Bullets, the team’s name from 1963 to 1997.
Interest in the Wizards is high again after they won the rights to the number one pick in the NBA Draft Lottery last month. What was the good luck charm? Irene Pollin wore her late husband Abe’s 1978 Washington Bullets NBA championship ring.
For the rest of my article on examiner.com, click here.
Excerpt:
The Washington Monuments?
Could the Wizards change their name to the “Washington Monuments” in the future? Though Leonsis denied the possibility of any name change, the name of the new company could be a clue to a future franchise name. “Monumental Sports” is an awkward name, but “Washington Monuments” does have a ring to it. If Leonsis had mentioned a name change as a possibility, speculation by the media and fans could have taken away from the product on the court, so it was smart for Leonsis to deny the possibility of a potential future name change. Leonsis has said he doesn’t want to disrespect the wishes of Pollin, who stated that he changed the name from Bullets to Wizards because of the city’s gun violence, so a name change back to the Bullets would be a long shot
Tags:and blue, Bullets, colors, Monuments, red, Ted Leonsis, Washington Wizards, white
Posted in Examiner.com, NBA, Washington Wizards | Leave a Comment »
Mike's Blog 